Op-ed:

Victory Not Delivered 

By: Diane Sori / The Patriot Factor

This opinion piece is my opinion alone, and does not necessarily represent the views of blogspot.or google.com

...This deal...this “Memorandum of Understanding” is, in my opinion, no better than Obama's deal with Iran...the deal that actually set Iran on a path to a nuclear bomb...but for whatever reason Trump and his “Trump can do no wrong” supporters refuse to see that fact.

“Houston”...there truly remains a problem, a problem that started with last summer's joint U.S./Israel military partnership where we had the military advantage over the regime, but Trump actually gave said advantage away. How so...by his refusing to finish (or let Israel finish) the job he led us, the Iranian people, and Israel herself to believe would be done.

...as Iran once again tries to play what is the “on again, off again” hoped for extension game, Trump continues saying that the “Memorandum of Understanding” is Iran's “unconditional surrender,” thus turning a rightfully just war into but a mockery of itself for “appeasement” and “capitulation” are now and will always remain the antithesis of victory...Read entire article here. 

Op-ed:

Victory Not Delivered

By: Diane Sori / The Patriot Factor

This opinion piece is my opinion alone, and does not necessarily represent the views of blogspot.or google.com. 

 

"Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win." 

- Sun Tzu, The Art of War, written at the end of China's “Spring and Autumn” period (770–476 BCE),

Words of strength, words of preparation, and words of courage spoken in the quest for military victory all those many centuries ago...words that are the direct opposite of what we have been hearing for months now, as in ”let's make a deal” with Iran.

And sadly, a deal...the “Memorandum of Understanding” (MoU) it's being called...was indeed a deal made with the enemy...a deal that in actuality favors and emboldens that enemy while what is actually our (and Israel's) true military victory is being pushed to the proverbial wayside.

And here I speak of our and Israel's war with Iran...a war that saw bits of the regime's terrorist heads being “taken out” one by one courtesy of Israel's Mossad and bombs that did indeed go boom. However, over the past few months we've been forced to listen to words about deals hopefully being forged with terrorists that saw extension after extension being given to the enemy...and while it pains me to say this, I believe, in part, that it's being done in a quest for one man's hoped for “Nobel Peace Prize.”

"Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win." 

- Sun Tzu, The Art of War

And win we have not for we...the United States of America...the world's #1 “Super Power”...have actually lost said war via “appeasement” and “capitulation” to those whose battle cry remains, “Death to America, Death to Israel”...the very words still being chanted in the minds of jihadists even as they sign pieces of paper with fingers crossed behind their backs.

"It is fatal to enter any war without the will to win it."

- General Douglas MacArthur words spoken in an address to the cadets at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point on May 12, 1962.

And so while the logistics and instruments of war itself have changed greatly over the millennia, MacArthur's words spoken then garner new meaning now as they reach the pinnacle of importance, Why so...because, in my opinion, President Trump never actually intended to win the war with Iran, at least not in the conventional sense, but to reach a stalemate of sorts where both sides could “save face,” and do so while twisting the rhetoric surrounding this war to fit their own personal needs and political agendas.

In the case of Iran the obvious is very clear in that the regime desperately wanted to hold onto power; they wanted all the protests to end; and to bring their death wishes for America and Israel to fruition, or to at least spew the rhetoric surrounding said wishes to help keep the Iranian people in line.

And as for our goal, besides the main issue of Iran not developing a nuclear weapon, I believe our goal was to neutralize, if you will, the politically damaging grip the mullahs had on the people of Iran while hopefully seeing Iranian oil flow more freely so as to help bring down prices at the pump and at the grocery store here at home before November's mid-term elections. Why so...because Trump knows that the majority of people vote, especially at midterm time, with their pocketbook...as in what they can and/or cannot afford to purchase...and that right now the American consumer's pocketbooks continue to take direct hits from Trump's not so wonderful economic policies along with his foreign policy faux pas.

President Trump's “The Art of the Deal” mindset...the central jump off point, and 40-year old formula for his personal economic successes...it has indeed proven that while his formula was extremely successful some decades ago in regards to the making of real estate and construction deals, it is not working out too well now for either our economy, nor our standing on the world stage in regards to the global markets, nor is it in regards to making deals with folks who continue to sign said deals with fingers still being crossed behind their ever deceitful backs.

“A battle is won by him who is firmly resolved to win it." 

- These were the words of Russian author Leo Tolstoy in his 1869 novel, “War and Peace,” where his belief that moral fortitude and unwavering determination do often become the deciding factors in overcoming challenges faced during times of war.

And President Trump could learn a few things from Tolstoy's words about loyalty, friendship, obligations, and simple right from wrong...that is if he can put his “I, I, I...me, me, me” ego aside for a bit...for at the recent G7 Summit, our president had the unmitigated gall to tell our staunchest ally and war partner Israel...and its great Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu...that Israel should be “thrilled” by the deal that the U.S. signed with Iran because it means, “they’re not going to be nuked.”

And if that's not enough our president had to rub salt into Israel's wounds, with his words that the worst case scenario would be that Israel would still survive any potential Iranian attack no matter their continuing actions in Lebanon. But Trump being Trump could not leave it at that as he had to add that, “Israel's fighting Hezbollah too long, and too many people are being killed in the fighting." Exasperating for sure.

I guess Trump cannot accept as fact that Israel has been fighting for it's very survival as the “Jewish State” since 1947. And now with Hezbollah directly supported by Iran, it took unmitigated gall to address Israel about its “defensive actions”...especially when it's already been stated by Iran that once sanctions are lifted they pledge to refund and rearm Hezbollah, but not a word from Trump about that.

And how sad is it that Trump's guarantees regarding Israel aren't worth the paper they're printed on nor are his words of Israel's survival, because the fact is that Israel was deliberately left out of any and all negotiations that determined not just our and Iran's fate, but Israel's fate as well,

And to make matters worse Trump did so knowing well that Israel strongly opposed the deal made...the deal that was on “hold” when I started writing this article, what with Iran still demanding that Israel completely leave Lebanon...which is surely not going to happen...along with the fact that said deal only included an Iranian “pledge” not to obtain a nuclear weapon, and to merely discuss making further concessions...nuclear and otherwise...during follow-up negotiations over the next few months.

But now as I finish writing this this article the first round of negotiations are taking place in Switzerland headed by (Israel defaming) JD Vance even after Iran had again shut down the Strait of Hormuz just as the blockade was beginning to be lifted. In fact, President Trump  today warned Iran that the U.S. “would hammer the Islamic Republic” if it didn’t immediately open the Strait of Hormuz and rein in its terrorist proxies, most especially Hezbollah. 

Another “red line” of sorts now being drawn, probably just another extension in the making...for threats without action only go so far before they become laughable at best, especially when it's starting to seem that Iran has been playing us all along, Many of us who have questioned Trump's making deals with terrorists from the beginning are no longer standing alone for key players “of name” are also starting to see the truth that Iran has been playing us all along as witnessed by responses we never thought we would hear.

For example let's start with these words which sum up the situation quite well, “With the United States or without the United States, we will act and will not allow Iran to obtain nuclear weapons.” Those were the words of Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen, after Netanyahu himself publicly stated that this deal is not and will not be binding for Israel, as Israel will rightfully defend herself, and might I add my own words with no permission from Donald Trump needed.

In fact, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said the deal is “bad for Israel and the entire free world;”  while our Secretary of State Marco Rubio...a staunch supporter of Israel...reportedly opposed the deal (and his face at the G7 when standing beside Trump shows both trepidation and disgust); Secretary of War Pete Hegseth opposed the deal and had urged further military action instead, as did CIA Chief John Radcliffe. Also, Senator Lindsay Graham, a staunch supporter and friend of President Trump told him that, “you must remember who you're dealing with;” but apparently Trump did not.

Also, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee called the deal out after Trump recently stated that, “Israel would not exist without the U.S.” which is arrogance personified; while our former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who also opposes this deal, warned Trump against “trusting the regime” as “the radical regime will inevitably weaponize any cash relief to fund global terror.”

“Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory, there is no survival.”

 - Winston Churchill's words spoken on May 13, 1940, during his first speech to the House of Commons as Prime Minister.

Sadly, President Trump refuses to understand that this deal is the very antithesis of survival. Why so...because it gives more power to Iran, while shielding their proxy army Hezbollah as per Trump's own words that, “Iran has a right to limited ballistic missiles” Simply, this deal sets no limit on how many such missiles Iran can have while giving Iran sanctions relief which, in turn, will see them funneling the monies garnered into their war chest instead of helping the Iranian people because the regime remains in place.

This deal...this “Memorandum of Understanding” is, in my opinion, no better than Obama's deal with Iran...the deal that actually set Iran on a path to a nuclear bomb...but for whatever reason Trump and his “Trump can do no wrong” supporters refuse to see that fact.

“Houston”...there truly remains a problem, a problem that started with last summer's joint U.S./Israel military partnership where we had the military advantage over the regime, but Trump actually gave said advantage away. How so...by his refusing to finish (or let Israel finish) the job he led us, the Iranian people, and Israel herself to believe would be done.

And now as Iran will surely once again try to play what is the “on again, off again” hoped for extension game, Trump continues saying that the “Memorandum of Understanding” is Iran's “unconditional surrender,” thus turning a rightfully just war into but a mockery of itself for “appeasement” and “capitulation” are now and will always remain the antithesis of victory. 

Remember, President Ronald Reagan took down the entirety of the Soviet Union and ended the “Cold War” with these six words, "Mr. Gorbechev, tear down this wall." President Trump has yet to take down the country that is Iran. We had hoped for more from this president, but sadly President Trump has yet to deliver the victory he had promised. Case closed.

Copyright @ 2026 Diane Sori / The Patriot Factor / All Rights Reserved. 

   

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For more political commentary please visit my RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS partner Craig Andrese's latest article, The Deal –  Pragmatism vs. Emotionalism.

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RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS...LIVE! 

Tomorrow, Tuesday, June 23rd from 7 to 8:30pm EST, RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS Craig Andresen and Diane Sori discuss 'Victory Not Delivered' 'The Deal - Pragmatism vs. Emotionalism’; and important news of the day. Tune in to RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS on https://rspradio1.com Click 'LISTEN LIVE.' 

 

Just a Thought

    

                                         Copyright @ 2026 Diane Sori / The Patriot Factor / All Rights Reserved. 

Op-ed: 

Unconditional Surrender vs. Submission

By: Diane Sori / The Patriot Factor 

This article is the authors opinion alone, and does not necessarily represent the views of blogspot.com or Google.

 

...And again herein, in my opinion, lies the main problem as most of President Trump's key advisors also do not understand who and what we are actually dealing with, because if they did they surely would not now or ever be negotiating with islamic terrorists. 

Simply, this fully not understanding is indeed the main reason for this war...as it is a war not just to stop Iran's nuclear ambitions but is, in actuality, a war of radical islamic ideologies vs. we in the civilized world. And to complicate the scenario even more so, it's coupled with Islam's continuing to strive for total world domination...while our side tends to view “extension after extension” of deadlines as being the only way forward towards peace.

Peace...in the true sense of the word...cannot happen when the enemy's holy book is also their primer for war, as common sense and logic has no place in the discourse, or so the islamic hardliners believe. And that alone is very telling, because when the bombs and missiles of war do stop falling...which even in Iran will eventually be the case...what is left is the fact that the word “Islam” itself still means “submission.” Read entire article here.  

Op-ed:

Unconditional Surrender vs. Submission

By: Diane Sori / The Patriot Factor

This article is the authors opinion alone, and does not necessarily represent the views of blogspot.com or Google. 

I do believe that the only ones who know the true horrors of war are those who actually served and fought in times of war, as well as I believe that the logistics of war...the orchestrating of war itself...is best left to the generals and admirals who have witnessed first hand the horrors of war. Wars run by politicians tend to either drag on or not end very well in the end, the Vietnam War being but one such example.

And with that said know that the modern day concept of MAGA...as in “Make America Great Again”...was founded upon the principals of the brave men and women who actually did make America great most especially in times of modern day war. Those like WWII Generals Dwight D, Eisenhower, Douglas MacArthur, and George S. Patton, along with Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, and then President Harry S. Truman, who showed the world not only America's military strength, but our strength of determination in that our enemies surrender was to be unconditional and unwavering. Simply, vacillating was unacceptable as it would appear to be an act of appeasement...and what is appeasement but a sign of weakness and/or even a form of capitulation.

America's strength shown during WWII laid the foundation for the greatness we as a nation are experiencing now, but even the best laid foundation can have cracks in it. And while cracks can be fixed...or at least be surfaced patched...a foundation of greatness built upon fear, uncertainty, and/or what ifs is something that “We the People” must never accept no matter who our president is, no matter the party he belongs to, or the ideology of those we find ourselves at war with.

And herein, I believe, lies the underlying problem concerning our still in progress war with Iran. And why do I say our war and not our and Israeli's war, the war we are fighting together...because I believe Israel...I believe Benjamin Netanyahu...understands the actual ideology behind said war better than does President Trump. But here I must add that it's not our president's fault for Israel has known the truth of said ideology ever since its birth as the Jewish State in 1947, while we on the other hand, only got our first real taste of said ideology on a bright sunny day on September 11, 2001.

And it's this very ideology that complicates the war we (and Israel) are now fighting for the fact remains that our winning the military aspect alone is simply not enough, for even with said victory what is the ideology and mindset of the enemy still holds sway over far too many folks...that is unless a quantum shift in reality were to take place. And here I mean a shift centered in what is islamist religious tenets and misplaced dogma, for this is where the true victory must take place. Why so...because it's the tenets and dogma of Islam that started this war...and many other wars...in the first place, and it's the same tenets and dogma that are denying true and lasting peace to not only take hold, but to set the Iranian people free.

Let me explain. Whether one is a religious believer or not, the fact does remain that both the Old and the New Testaments of Judaism and Christianity do herald peace above all else, while honoring the moral code as laid down in the Ten Commandments. However, it's the jihadist driven islamist followers of the Quran who tend to see both its structure, and its core theology, as being one not of peace, but instead being the definitive guide on how muslims are to wage war, and dominate over all nonbelievers. And again, herein lies where true victory must be won...as in a complete change in ideology if you will...for without that particular victory the fact remains that any peace deal now garnered will most likely be fleeting at best, after all the islamists make deals with fingers crossed behind their backs, and lies spewed through both sides of their mouths.

And, while Netanyahu understands where the true victory must lie, President Trump, in my opinion, does not really understand the mindset of how deeply ingrained the religious indoctrination runs in those still living with and acted upon a 6th century mindset. And here, please know that I am NOT...I repeat NOT...talking about the Iranian people fighting and begging for freedom and an entry into the 21st century civilized world, but I am talking about the islamist rulers of Iran, and how our president, through no fault of his own, has misread the islamic culture itself along with its mindset.

And again herein, in my opinion, lies the main problem as most of President Trump's key advisors also do not understand who and what we are actually dealing with, because if they did they surely would not now or ever be negotiating with islamic terrorists. 

Simply, this fully not understanding is indeed the main reason for this war...as it is a war not just to stop Iran's nuclear ambitions but is, in actuality, a war of radical islamic ideologies vs. we in the civilized world. And to complicate the scenario even more so, it's coupled with Islam's continuing to strive for total world domination...while our side tends to view “extension after extension” of deadlines as being the only way forward towards peace.

Peace...in the true sense of the word...cannot happen when the enemy's holy book is also their primer for war, as common sense and logic has no place in the discourse, or so the islamic hardliners believe. And that alone is very telling, because when the bombs and missiles of war do stop falling...which even in Iran will eventually be the case...what is left is the fact that the word “Islam” itself still means “submission.”

And as long as that is the accepted and acting upon meaning of said word, hate will continue to drive the islamists ever forward, thus President Trump must somehow return to his first proposal for peace being“unconditional surrender.”

Why so...because if for nothing else than these words alone, “Fight those who do not believe in Allah and the Last Day, nor comply with what Allah and His Messenger have forbidden, nor embrace the religion of truth from among those who were given the Scripture, until they pay the tax, willingly submitting, fully humbled.” 

- Surah At Tawbah 9:5

“Submission,” “submitting,” are but mere variations of the same word...yet it's the very word that gives new meaning to what should now be...and should have always remained...Iran's “unconditional surrender,” with extensions and vacillating back and forth be damned.

This war can truly only end by our side utilizing and capitalizing on the circumstances by which this war is still unfolding, while accepting as fact that the misplaced ceasefires were but temporary times-out that allowed for Iran to regroup and reorganize to fight yet another day...which unfortunately they have been doing.

Simply, peace can only be garnered in the Middle East...a region that has never really known the true meaning nor application of lasting peace...by the emergence of definitive victors and losers in both the military as well as the ideological aspects of this war. And this means that islamists mind-speak itself must be dismantled and reassembled to be more in line with the century we live in than it is with centuries passed. Why so...because in surrendering... in being deemed the loser...the islamists would them be “submitting” to their conquerors instead of the conquerors “submitting” to Islam as the Quran so dictates. Nothing else should be acceptable.

Remember, a defeated enemy no matter its ideology should never be dictating to the victor how its war must end. And while a military victory for our side does neutralize Iran as a regional power, thus seeing Iran being beaten into what is referred to as “strategic submission.” which in and of itself is very much akin to “unconditional surrender,” minus all the revelry that would accompany said “surrender.” And while this would allow Iran to at least save a bit of “face” in the court of international opinion, the bonus for our side... for western civilization as a whole...would be that what is islamic driven terrorist actions would then become a quite impotent pariah on the world stage, as the Iranian people would be seeing freedom taking hold and taking center stage.

 

So while President Trump, on Saturday, unilaterally cancelled what was to be the latest Pakistan brokered round of peace talks after his having rightfully dismissed Iran's latest joke of a peace proposal...it now becomes obvious that “unconditional surrender” is the only true resolution to this war. And why President Trump ever changed his mind about this will always remain, for me anyway, a question of who told him to do so and why. Case closed.

Copyright © 2026 Diane Sori / All rights reserved.

************************************************************************************************** For more political commentary please visit my RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS partner Craig Andresen's blog The National Patriot to read his latest article, The Indoctrinated Indoctrinator’s Deadly Mission.

**************************************************************************************************************************

RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS...LIVE! 

Tomorrow, Tuesday, April 28th from 7 to 8:30pm EST, RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS Craig Andresen and Diane Sori discuss 'Unconditional Surrender vs. Submission'; 'The Indoctrinated Indoctrinator’s Deadly Mission'; and the WH Correspondents Dinner shooting. Tune in to RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS on https://rspradio1.com Click 'LISTEN LIVE.'

  

Just a thought...

Op-ed: 

Peace Cannot Exist When Problems Remain Unsolved 

By: Diane Sori / The Patriot Factor / Right Side Patriots / Right Side Patriots Radio

The article posted here is the authors opinion alone, and does not necessarily represent the views of blogspot.com or Google 

...And that which I just stated is what I believe Putin's war with Ukraine is really all about...as in permanent oil access. plus the eventual rebuilding of the old Soviet Union.

But being as arrogant as he is, Vladimir Putin truly believes that not only will he eventually be victorious in this his ultimate legacy endeavor, as there remains the possibility that Putin has all along been cloaking himself in talking of wanting peace while the KGB trained agent within him tries to play both Presidents Trump and Zelenskyy in the same way that Hitler did Neville Chamberlain almost 100 years ago.

And why do I say this...because last Wednesday, Putin warned that Russia should hold “veto power” over any security actions to assist Ukraine after a peace deal is reached, rendering planned Western security guarantees for Kyiv moot at this point. A setback in peace talks already involving the logistics of the “land grabs” currently on the negotiating table for if Putin were to acquire “veto power” regarding Ukraine's security it equates to more than just “appeasement” as it opens the door for Putin's...Read entire article here.

Op-ed: 

Peace Cannot Exist When Problems Remain Unsolved 

By: Diane Sori / The Patriot Factor / Right Side Patriots / Right Side Patriots Radio

The article posted here is the authors opinion alone, and does not necessarily represent the views of blogspot.com or Google  

  

“Both sides are going to have to make concessions to end Russia's war in Ukraine.”  

- Secretary of State Marco Rubio

The now 3-1/2 year old war between Russia and Ukraine is a war primarily stained by the blood of innocent civilian lives lost while also, not so surprisingly, being a war engulfed in “Cold War” aspects as well. How so... because like the “Cold War” of the 20th century, this war has all the hallmarks of being able to spread...whether just verbally or more way likely tangibly...if some kind of workable and lasting peace deal is not reached anytime soon.

What started as a territorial dispute between Russia and Ukraine could well expand into neighboring NATO nations, thus directly drawing the U.S. into it as well. And with a somewhat altered version of NATO's “Article 5” protection now on the negotiating table even minus Ukraine being a NATO nation, this war could unfortunately continue on no matter Putin's smiling face at the Alaska summit with President Trump. Why so...because when one deals with Vladimir Putin anything is possible, most especially when Russia's leader needs to counter last Monday's theatrically staged and ever so successful optics of Europe's leaders descending on Washington to show their united support for Ukraine's President Zelenskyy...worldwide televised egg on Putin's face for sure.

So while Putin continues to claim numerous military victories of sorts while standing strong in his demands for absorbing what are large parts of Ukraine into Russia, Russia's economy is still struggling as her defense budget has now reached $142+B per year, which is more than double the monies spent on defense before Putin started the war with Ukraine. And this war does affect the now war weary Russian people themselves for monies used to fund Putin's war machine were taken away from the Russian people and their needs. And know Russia's rank and file military has also grown weary of war...a war that pits brother against brother, as Russians and Ukrainians basically do share the same genetic roots.

A somewhat modern day version of our own Civil War if you will, yet a war vastly different in both mode of operation and outcome for Ukraine's President Vlodymir Zelenskyy, the once deemed underdog by all accounts, has stood his ground against not only the world's number two superpower, but against Vladimir Putin himself, with the added bonus being Zelenskyy's having united the nations of Europe together in his and Ukraine's just cause. Quite an achievement I'd say as this new camaraderie...this new alliance of sorts...has not been seen since the days of WWII.

So as to the offensive player that is Putin's Russia v. the defensive player that is Ukraine, Zelenskyy and his cause are also being supported and cheered on in the “court of public opinion,” while at the same time the still in effect Western sanctions have had a cumulative effect on what is now Russia’s full time war economy, And know that many more sanctions are to come, as per both President Trump and European leaders, if Vladimir Putin continues on in what he hopes to be his “legacy” defining moment.

And if that be the case, Putin's legacy could well be a legacy of failure if he thinks Russia could take on NATO, let alone the U.S. under President Trump. Remember, NATO has had new life and relevancy breathed into it courtesy of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, while at the same time Ukraine's forces, as ragtag as they are, have been able to fend off defeat that according to Putin should have taken Russia but a mere two weeks to achieve. And whether Putin's failure to accomplish that objective has been due to the funding and equipment NATO and the U.S. has given to Ukraine or not, the fact remains that Ukraine and her people are still standing strong...as is Zelenskyy himself...while Putin tries to publicly “save face” by making nice to President Trump with fingers probably crossed behind his back.

Now here is where it gets interesting for after the “smile for the camera” show Putin put on at the Alaska Summit, the fact remains that Vladimir Putin still wants to “grab” roughly 30% of Ukraine's lands to be officially recognized as part of “Mother Russia” whether the now said lands are currently occupied by Russian troops or not.

And Russia's quest for Ukrainian land started when in 1994, Bill Clinton played a key role in negotiating the terms of the “Budapest Memorandum”...the agreement which forced Ukraine to give up its nukes in exchange for security assurances...and culminated in 2014 when Obama foolishly gave Crimea to Putin, as he had little access to its desperately needed 1.5 billion barrels of oil reserves save for a thin bit of peninsula access that does not really allow for needed heavy transport.

However, in Putin's now demanding not only the oil fields but the Dzhankoy and the Kerch Peninsulas...as well as the Dunbas region which he claims is needed for Russian “security purposes” ...something Zelensky is rightfully fighting against...know that Ukraine itself has lost access to 80% of oil and gas deposits in the Black Sea, and a significant part of the Crimea port infrastructure due to Obama's allowing the Russian annexation of Crimea.

And that which I just stated is what I believe Putin's war with Ukraine is really all about...as in permanent oil access. plus the eventual rebuilding of the old Soviet Union.

But being as arrogant as he is, Vladimir Putin truly believes that not only will he eventually be victorious in this his ultimate legacy endeavor, as there remains the possibility that Putin has all along been cloaking himself in talking of wanting peace while the KGB trained agent within him tries to play both Presidents Trump and Zelenskyy in the same way that Hitler did Neville Chamberlain almost 100 years ago.

And why do I say this...because last Wednesday, Putin warned that Russia should hold “veto power” over any security actions to assist Ukraine after a peace deal is reached, rendering planned Western security guarantees for Kyiv moot at this point. A setback in peace talks already involving the logistics of the “land grabs” currently on the negotiating table for if Putin were to acquire “veto power” regarding Ukraine's security it equates to more than just “appeasement” as it opens the door for Putin's war to actually expand.

Remember, Chamberlain truly believed that by conceding to Hitler's first few “land grabs”...that his acts of “appeasement”...would help to prevent a full blown European war from happening, but the fact is that while Chamberlain was busy “making nice” to Hitler, Hitler continued to strengthen, bolster, and add to Germany's military capabilities. Now substitute the names Trump and Putin here for not only does Trump know Putin well enough to not take anything Putin says at face value, but Zelenskyy knows that no concessions of any kind, especially involving Ukraine's security, will be reached without his approval. And so the continued to be spoken words that “a lot of progress has been made” towards peace is anything but reality, that is until peace itself sees pen being put to paper while arms are being laid down.

But even with that said, I'm sure President Trump has accounted for the old adage, “give them an inch and they'll take a mile,” as he's not an easily fooled man. Remember, as previously stated, I still believe Putin's ultimate goal, no matter his public words to the contrary...is not to ceremonially rebuild “Mother Russia” to her former glory, but to rebuild...and I cannot state this enough...what was the old Soviet Union by starting with Ukraine and then ultimately reabsorbing all the former Soviet satellites now independent nations...some even NATO member nations...back into the Russian fold.

Simply, Putin's current quest to take over 30% of Ukraine is not only “land grabbing” on steroids, but is his not so secret attempt to lay the very foundation for what could eventually turn into World War III if he does not get his way. A legacy in waiting, cleverly crafted by a madman along the same lines as Hitler's legacy of “land grabs” is remembered today.

So even with all of Vladimir Putin's talks of wanting peace...even with what might be an agreed upon implementation of what I'm sure in the end will turn into but a temporary peace...one must remember that it's not in Putin's make up, or in what he deems to be in his or Russia's best interests, to accept what would be a peace deal garnered by Russia's having, in one form or another...veiled or not...to admit to defeat. And besides, I see what's being offered by Putin in exchange for peace as being but a diversion to help keep the world's prying eyes off him and Russia...thus giving Putin the time needed to regroup, rearm, and only then logistically move forward against Ukraine yet again.

So in Putin's appearing to take a page from Hitler's “land grab” playbook...as in never give up until either ones wanted goal is achieved or until one is stone-cold dead... it's obvious that Volodymir Zelenskky will not be playing into Putin's threats of give up the land he wants or else, as he has laid down his own unwavering “red line” being that, “The positions are clear. A real peace must be achieved, one that will be lasting, not just another pause between Russian invasions.”

And with those words of President Zelenskyy basically echoing President Trump's words posted on 'Truth Social' that, “It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which often times do not hold up.” we find these two men on the same page...two men well aware of famed Russian “treachery” once again coming into play as peace negotiations remain on going...at least as I write this.

But one thing I do know for certain is that neither Europe's leaders nor even President Trump have a right to give away or to force President Zelenskyy to give away any of Ukraine's land without it being agreed to by Zelenskyy himself and the Ukrainian people. And this is especially true when all concerned know, as fact, that not only does Putin want Ukraine for its oil, but even more so that he wants Ukraine as a base from which to first reabsorb its former satellites back into the fold, and then expand Russian style communism outward into eastern Europe from there.

It seems to me that Volodymir Zelenskyy knows well all that I just stated along with something many others involved do not, and that is that while peace might stop the killing for a given period of time, peace itself does not always solve the problems that started said killings in the first place. Simply, unless all underlying problems between the two nations are resolved at the core level, any peace that might now be reached will be lost sooner rather than later.

Remember the old saying, “The devil wears black”...well the new saying in today's ever hostile and volatile world, where talks of Ukraine/Russian peace still appear to be but words ongoing minus much needed tangible actions taken, instead should be, “Beware of the little Russian man draped in Communist red.” No need to say anything more...case closed. 

Copyright © 2025 Diane Sori / The Patriot Factor / All rights reserved.  

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For more political commentary please visit my RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS partner Craig Andresen's blog The National Patriot to read his latest article, The Fling Heard Around the World.

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